Car-roof clamp



T. H. WILLIAMS ET AL cAR ROOF CLAMP 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Rm Vm MM Filed Jan.6, 1925 aa" w l? gnimafoz 6 '01 v m s 4 Sheets-Sheet -5 T. H. WILLIAMSET AL I on ROOF CLAMP Filed Ja'm'e, 1925 March 1 1927.

March 1, 1927.

T. H. WILLIAMS AL.

1cm RQOF CLAMP N Filed Jan. 6, I925 4'Sheets-She'et Qbhoimi; 3

Qwm N? Patented Mar. 1, 1927. I

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Eli-HERON H. WILLIAMS AND WILLIAM WRIGHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNTORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T CHICAGO-CLEVELAND CAR ROOFINGCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

can-noon CLAMP.

Application filed January 6, 1925. Serial No. 886.

This invention relates in. general to .im provements in car roofconstruction, and more particularly to improvements 1n the all steelrigid type of car roofs for freight carsand the like. 7

Objects of the invention are the provision of a car roof constructionpermitting rapld and easy assembly of the roof on freight cars and whichwhen assembled will be water tight and rigidly secured in place; theprovision of a construction in which the parts will not become loose asa result of constant vibration or twisting and weaving motions of thecar; .the' provision of a conv struction in which a wedge clamp may beused so that as the wedge key is positioned it will draw the clampingportions tightly down on the parts, and hold the parts in such clamptight engagement; the provi- ZQ sion of such a roof which may be formedof simple parts easily and inexpensively manufactured and which whenassembled will not require frequent repair and .replacement, and suchother objects and advantages of the invention as may be found to obtainin the structure, hereinafter de scribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andshowing,'for purposes of exemplification, a preferred f01'I]1 and mannerin which the invention may be embodied and practiced, but withoutlimiting the claimed invention specifically to such illustrativeinstance or instances:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a freight car roof embodying theinvention, parts be ing broken away for'clearness in illustratron.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same. v m

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig.1.

Fi dis a cross-sectional view taken sub-3 stantlallyv on the line 4-4ofFig. 3, parts beingbroken awayfor clearness in illustration. Y f V. Fig.5 is a vertical cross-sectional View taken on'the line 55 of Fig. 1.Fig. 6 is a top' plan view of one of the clamps in assembled position.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig.1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the split tapered wedges.

Referring to the drawings the invention is there shown as embodied inthe all steel rigid type of car roofs, having longitudinally extendingZ-bar side plates 10 consisting of a vertical Web 11, a lower outwardlyextending horizontal flange 12 and an upper inwardly extendinghorizontal flange 13. Extending longitudinally of the car and arrangedbetween the side lates are the usual wooden purlins 14 and ridge pole15. Extending across the car from side plate to side plate are invertedchannel shaped carlines 16, said carlines being arched to conform to thepitch of the roof and consisting of a substantially flat top web 17connecting a plurality of depending outwardly flaring sides 18 thatterminate in outwardly directed lateral fla'nges .19. At each eaves endthe depending sides decrease in height and merge at 21 into the lateralflanges 19 and at such eaves ends the lateral flanges are depressed at22 and are gradually widened toward the eaves as at 20 to form a seatfor the carlines at the side plates, said seat resting upon the upperflange 13' to which it is rigidly secured by rivets 23. The spacesbetween the side 7 plates and the carlines are closed by intermediateroof sheet sections-24 and end roof sheet sections, said roof sheetsextending 'across the'car from side plate to side plate to which theymay be rigidly secured by bolts 26 passing through the depending eavesflange 27 of the roof sheets and the vertical web of the side plate.edges of the roof sheets are pressed up- The side.

wardly-at 28 to fit over the lateral flanges 19 of the carline so thatthe main body 29 p of the roof sheets may rest upon, and be supported bythe longitudinally extending purhns and ridge pole when such purlins andridge pole are used in the roof structions 20 of the carlines. The sideedges of said'roof sheets terminate in inverted channel shaped portionshaving-'9. substantially flat top web 31 connecting the dependingoutwardly flaring sides 33 whose lower portions terminate adjacent thelower portions of the sides of said carline, said inverted channelshaped portions being shaped similarly to the inverted channel portionof the carlines so that the adjacent sides of adjacent roof sheets arearran ed in lapped formation over the inverted channel portion of theadjacent carline to fully enclose and tight-l embrace the carlinewhenassembled, as SlOWD in Figs. 4 and 5.

The eaves ends of said side portions of the roof sheets also decreasesinheight as indicated at 32 and the adjacent depending eaves flanges ofadjacent roof sheets are' lapped at 33 and such lapped eaves flan es arerigidly held together by bolts 34 that pass therethrough and through theside plates.

In order to secure the inverted channeled side portions of the roofsheets immovably down on the carlines there are provided clamps 35, inthe present embodiment illustrated as pressed steel clamps, said clampsconsisting of a top web 36 connecting depending outwardly flaring sides37 that extend down to the lower portions of the sides of the carlineand the sides of the inverted channel sides of the roof sheets. Theinner faces of the flaring sides 37 of the clam s diverge downwardlysomewhat more acutey than the sides of the cooperating carlines, therebyenabling the roof shwts to be securely clam ed to the carlines near thegeneral level 0 the roof.

The top webs of the clamps are pressed upwardly at 38 and'each web isapertured as indicated at 39. The web and sides are strengthened byan'outwardly extending rib 41 running from the pressed out rtion of theweb to near the lower edge 0 the sides of the clamp. The webs of theoutlines are apertured to correspond with apertures 42 in the webs ofthe inverted channel sides of the roof sheets. i

A depending slotted member .or slotted bolt having its upper portion ofreduced diameter as indicated at 43 is rigidly secured to the web of theclamp by inserting the reduced portion through the aperture in the webso that the depending member of the bolt is arranged between the sidesof the clamp, then riveting-the upper end of the bolt down on the outerface of the pressed out portion of the web of the clamp. The oppositeend of the bolt terminates in a downwardly tapering portion forming adrift for entering the apertures of the roof sheets and carlines so asto cooperate with said sheets and carline to enforce shiftin of thesheets to proper assembled position w en the clamp is applied. The lowerportion 44 of the bolt is provided with an elongated slot 45 extendingfrom near the portion of carline thereby pro'vidin reduced diameter tonear the lower end of the bolt. The lower end or face of the slot iscurved or inclined in opposite directions as indicated at 46 tofacilitate entrance of a wedge 47, said wedge being formed from a stripof metal bent upon itself at 48 to U- shape to form a split wedge. Thewedge is tapered toward one end and the greater portion of onelongitudinal edge, the upper edge 49, contacts with the bottom face ofthe web of the carline, as indicated at 51 in Figs. 3 and7, theremainderof said upper edge 52 of the wedge being downwardly inclined asindicated at 53.

The greater portion of the length of the other longitudinal edge 54, thelower edge, of said wedge is inclined with respect to said upper edgewhen positioned in the slotof the bolt and the remainder-of said edge isinclined upwardly as indicated at 55. The increased taper at one endpermits the key to be entered in the slot of the bolt while extending atan angle to the plane of the face of the carline with which the keycontacts when in assembled position; thus enabling the key to be readilybrought intojinitial cooperative relation with the slotted bolt andfacilitating its driving. The driving of the wedge in the slot draws theclamp down towards the carline so as to cause it to have wedgingcooperation with the lower parts of the carline and roof sheetschannels, thereby securing the latter by a strong pressure immovably tothe carline. After the wedge is in lace the free ends 56 are spreadtransverse y as indicated in Fig. 4 to prevent the wedge from creepingor loosening by reason of the constant jarring action of the car and thevertical strains to which it is subjected on the carline. V

To support the usual running boards the clamps are provided with angularclips are riveted thereto, said cllps providy whic ing a vertical member58 to which the'runnin board saddles 59 are bolted at 6'1.

on purlins andridge pole are utilized in the roof structure, they aresecured by bolts 62. positioned in apertures in the top web of thecarline and extending down through the channel portion of the carline,said bolts passing through the purlins and ridge pole and securedthereto by nuts 63 threaded against the loweriface of the purlins andridge ole. Said bolts 62 hold the urlins and ri e pole tightly againstthe ower faces of t e lateral flanges 19 of the adequate support for themain body of t e roof sheets between the carlines. In order to clear therivet heads 63' of the bolts 62 the web of the inverted channel portionsof the sides of the tering emclear such from side plate to side plat andsecured.

the invention there are=shown four wedge clamps secured throughout thelength of the carline and such four clamps have been found in practiceto be suflicient securing means to rigidly. secure the roof sheetsimmovably down on the carlines without danger of the roof sheets pullingaway or tearing loose from the clamps, but of course if it is desiredthe number of such clamps used may be increased or diminished.

The roof may be applied by first securing the carlines in place, andthen laying the sheets down on the carlines so that adjacent sides ofthe roof sheets embrace the carlines in lapped formation, and theclamps, having the bolt riveted thereto are applied by inserting thebolt through the registering apertures in the web of the car'- line andthe webs of the lapped side portions of the roof sheets, then a taperedwedge is inserted in the slot in each of the clamp bolts and the clampsare thereby drawn down, and, after the wedges are fully in place, theirfree ends are spread. The eaves edges of said roof sheets may be securedto the side plates either before or after the clamps are positioned.

The end roof sheet sections are formed similarly to theintermediatesections except one edge terminates in a depending flangesecured to the end fascia or other member at the end of the car. Theinvention as hereinabove set forth is embodied in a particular form ofconstruction but may be variouslv embod d within the scope of the claimshereinafter made.

We claim: v 1. A car roof construction involving side plates, carlinesextending across the car thereto, said carlines having a substantiallyflat top web and depending outwardly flaring sides, roof sheetsextending across the ing outwardly car from side plate to side plate,the sides of the roof sheets terminating in upwardly web, said bolthaving a slot therein, and a wedge positioned in said slot, the top edgeof said wedge engaging the web of said carline and the bottom edge ofsaid wedge engaging the bottom of -said slots 2. A car roof constructioncomprising, in combinationrside plates; carlines extending across the,car from side plate to side plate and secured thereon, said carlineshaving a top web and depending outwardly flaring sides terminating inlateral flanges; roof sheets extending across the car, said roof sheetsbeing secured down on the side plates, the sides of said roof sheetsterminating in upwardly directedinverted channel portions having a topweb and depending outwardly flaring sides arranged in lapped formationover the top web and sides of said carlines and clamps for holding saidlapped sides of the roof sheets down on the carline, said,

clamps having a top web and depending sides that terminate near thelower portions of the sides of said carline, said clamp having adepending slotted bolt riveted to the top web of said clamp, and a wedgearranged through said slot, one edge of said wedge engaging the bottomface of the top web of the carline and the other edge bearing againstthe lower edge of said slot, one end of said wedge being spread. i

3. A car roof construction comprising, in

combination side plates; carlines extending across the car from sideplateto side plate; each of said carlines having a to web and dependingoutwardly flaring sides; roof sheets enclosing the space between saidside plates and said carlines; said roof sheets having side flanges,each side flange engaging the side of an adjacent carline'and a directedinverted channel portions, said portions consisting of a top web anddependflaring sides arranged in lapped formation over the top web anddepending sides of the carline, and clamps positioned over said upwardlyprojecting portion of said carlines and the upwardly directed portionsof the sides of said roof sheets, said clamps having a top web anddepending outwardly flaring sides, the sides of said clamps pressing thesides of said upwardly projecting portion of said roof sheets immovablydown on the side of the carlines, tlrywe'b of said clamps having anaperture therein, a bolt having a portion of reduced diameter, saidreduced portion fitting in the aperture in the web of said clamp and'theupper end of said reduced portion being riveted down on top of saidclamp havin a top web and downwardly extending si es engaging over theoutside of the web and sides of said .carline,-for wedging therespective flanges of the roof sheets toward the adjacent sides of saidcarlines to rigidly clamp said sheets thereto, said clamp having aslotted member depending from the web of the clamp, and a taperedpointed wedge engaging insaid slot and engaging the bottom face of the:top the carline, the narrower end of said wedge being spread.

at. A clamp portion providing a web and two outwardly flaring sides,said pressed upwardly and having an aperture web of for car roofscomprising 2. PI depending,

web being therein, said web and side being strengtln ened by anoutwardly extending rib, a slotted bolt having oneend of reduceddimensions, said reduced portion extending in the aperture in the weband riveted down thereon, the lower edge-of said slot'being inclined inopposite directions and a split.

wedge extending through said slot, the greater portion of one e geofsaid wedge engaging the'carline with which the clamp cooperates andthe remainder of said edge being inclined with respect thereto, theother edge of said wedge terminating in a line at an angle to the edgeengaging the carline.

5. A clamp for car roofs comprising a ortion providing a web and aplurality 0 dependin outwardly flaring sides, said web and sid es beingstrengthened by a rib integral therewith terminating short of the loweredges of the sides, a slotted depending member riveted to said web, anda split wedge insertable in said slot, one end of said slitted wedgebeing bendable after insertion in said slot.

6. A ri id car roof construction involving side p ates, carlinesextending from side plate to side plate, each of said carlines having aweb and depending sides, roof sheets havin flanges arranged in lappedformation over the top web of each of the carlines, and clamps forwedging the roof sheets immovably with respect to the sides of thecarline, each of said clamps involving a depending slotted member, and awedge positioned in said slot.

7. A ri id car roof construction involving side p ates, carlinesextending across the in the channel of the carline form car from sideplate to side plate, each of said carlines having a web and downwardlyflaring-sides, roof sheets having portions embracing the carlines, and aplurality of clam s for we'dging adjacent roof sheets to the sides ofeach of the carlines, each of said clamps involvin a web portion anddownwardly flaring sides, a slotted pin depending from the web of theclamp, and a wedge arranged in the slot.

8. A rigid car roof construction involving side plates, carlinesextending from side plate to side plate, each of said carlines having atop web and de ending sides inclined to the vertical, roof s eetshavingportions embracing the carlines, and a plurality of clam s forwedging adjacent roof sheets to the sides of each of the carlines, eachof said clamps having a dependin slotted member, and a wedge arranged int e slot adapted to bear against theflun'der side of the top web of thecarline, thewedge lying whoilii withby its top web and depending sides.

- V 9. Arigid car roof construction involving carlines having a web anddepending sides, roof sheets terminating in inverted channel portionsand arranged in lapped formation over the carlines, and clam sfor-securing the roof sheets 'immovably with lower portions of the sidesof t e carlines,

ct to the each. of the clamps having .9. depending through registeringapertures in the overslotted member, and a wedge positioned in It saidslot for forcing the clamp downwardly the wedge being arrangedlongitudinally oi the carline.

10. A rigid car roof construction involving side plates, carlinesextending from side plate to side plate, roof sheets enclosing the spacebetween the side plates and the carlines, the sides of said roof sheetsterminating in inverted channel portions and arranged in lappedformation over the carlines, and clamps adapted to embrace the lappedportions of said roof sheets, means for forcing said clamps downwardlyto unite the roof sheets immovably to the carlines, involving a dependinslotted member carried by the clamp an a wedge arranged in said slot.

11. A rigid car roof construction involving a carline having a top weband depending sides, roof sheets having portions contacting with thecarline, and a clamp having a top web and depending sides for securingthe roof sheets to the carline, a slotted member carried by said clamp,and a wedge arranged in the slot for forcing the clamp downwardly tounite the roof sheets immovably to the carline, the wedge being arrangedlongitudinally of the carline and lying wholly within the channel formedby the web and depending sides of the carline.

12. A roof clamp for securing roof sheets arranged in overlappedrelation to the car lines of railway cars, involving a portion overlyingthe overlapped parts of the roof sheets and having a pin adapted to passlappe portions of the sheets and the carline associated therewith, thesaid pin having a tapering end portion forming a drift for enterin saidapertures so as to cooperate with said s eets and carline to enforceshift- 1 ing of said sheets to proper position when the clamp isapplied.

13. A car roof involving, in combination, a carline, roof sheets, andmeans for securing adjacent edges of said sheets to the carline, 1 saidmeans comprising amember having a key slot therein extending below the uper face of said carline, anda tapered key a apted to be received bysaid slot and to have wedging cooperation with an underface of saidcarline, the taper of said key'being increased at one end to permit thekey to be THERoN H. WILLIAMS. WILLIAM WRIGHT.

